latex paint and cedar wood harmful?

[Jenny]

In my fish pond, I sunk a table into it to serve as a shelf for my filters and aerators. The table sat in the sun and rain for about 10 years. It's made of cedar wood and painted with latex paint, a lot of which has previously chipped off over time. I just put it in the pond about a week ago. Was this a bad idea and should I take it out?

 

[Tula]

I personally wouldn't place painted items in my pond, but I don't have any factual reason for this. I think many people use milk crates and plastic tables.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Cedar oil will leach out for years and years. The jury is still out on whether or not it is toxic to fish.

 

[sissy]

get one of those cheap plastic tables or use a laundry basket or even the top to one of those cat litter boxes .

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Cedar wood is supposedly toxic in small animals so I would steer clear of it for the fish as well.

I would go with the plastic outdoor table myself.

 

[mrtrumpet]

As far as I know latex paint is non-toxic when dry. That is what the cans I have used say. I'm not crazy about using it in my pond, but if it's absolutely necessary, like changing pink foam to black, then I would.